Arm & Hammer, a brand of the Church & Dwight Co., is well-known for its line of cleaning and personal care products. Now based in Princeton, Church & Dwight is in the process of building a new headquarters for about 500 employees in Ewing. Though they could have set up shop elsewhere, company officials decide to remain in Mercer County.

That investment in the region is also evident in the company’s long-term commitment to the Thunder. It follows a decade-long extension of the New York Yankees partnership with the team.

Calling himself a lifelong Yankees fan, Church & Dwight CEO Jim Craigie told Times staff writer Emily Brill the team’s affiliation with the Trenton Thunder played a part in the decision.

And choice of Arm & Hammer, apart from its name recognitions, as a handle for the ballpark is particularly apt. In Norse mythology, Thor is the hammer-wielding god of thunder.

More than just applying a name to a structure, though, Church & Dwight has made a mark on the community.

In just the past year, the company’s employees contributed $50,000 to the Rescue Mission of Trenton with funds donated by workers at its Princeton and Cranbury offices and a matching donation made by the company.

Following a fire late last year at the Crisis Ministry in Trenton, the company gave $100,000 to fund the ministry’s charitable programs and help it recover from the blaze that ravaged its food pantry.

In addition, the company gave $75,000 to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, and employees added $10,000 to a corporate gift of $75,000 given to the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank.

Clearly it’s a company invested in the well-being of the community, and a good corporate neighbor.

Robert Prunetti, CEO of the MidJersey Chamber of Commerce, has hailed the rebranding of the ballpark.

“Church & Dwight has decided to stay in the community, and now they’re putting their name on this symbol of the community,” said Prunetti, calling it a “symbolic, valuable commitment.“

It also demonstrates confidence in Trenton, something the beleaguered city desperately needs.

Any progress toward revitalization of Trenton depends on the kind of stability represented by companies such as Church & Dwight and franchises such as the Yankees.